Combination plug-splash can and method of using same during casting

ABSTRACT

An ingot base plug and, fixed on the top of the plug, a splash can.

.itd States Patent [191 Snowdon Dec. 31, 1974 COMBINATION PLUG-SPLASHCAN AND METHOD OF USING SAME DURING CASTING [75] Inventor: RaymondSnowdon, Birmingham,

England 73 Assignee: Fuseco Trading A.G., Chur,

Switzerland 22 Filed: May 24, 1973 21 App]. No.: 363,315

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 26, 1972 Great Britain25059/72 [52] US. Cl 164/137, 249/204, 249/206 [51] Int. Cl B22d 7/12[58] Field of Search 249/204, 206; 164/137 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,874,427 2/ 1959 Sterick 249/206 2,907,083 10/1959Shakely 249/206 X 3,195,853 7/1965 Ferree 249/204 X PrimaryExaminerFrancis S. Husar Assistant Examiner-John E. Roethel Attorney,Agent, or FirmCushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT An ingot base plugand, fixed on the top of the plug, a splash can.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures COMBINATION PLUG-SPLASH CAN AND METHOD OFUSING SAME DURING CASTING This invention relates to ingot moulds.

It is common practice, in the case of big-end-up ingot moulds to providean aperture in the base of the mould through which a plunger may beforced to aid in ejecting the solidified ingot from the mould. In orderthat this aperture does not allow molten metal to escape during castingit is sealed prior to casting with a suitable refractory plug. Suchplugs are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,107,454.

Although it may be expected that erosion by impingement of the incomingmolten metal stream would be confined to the refractory plug someerosion at the base of the mould does occur if other precautions are nottaken.

Furthermore, it is well known that ingot quality may be reduced if thereis a lot of splashing in the bottom of the mould as teeming of moltenmetal commences, and a very wide variety of proposals have been made totry and reduce such splashing in order to reduce its deleteriouseffects.

The most serious of these effects are the formation of cracks, theoccurrence of inclusions and scabs; these may occur on the surface ofthe ingot or in its body depending on the character of the defectconcerned. In some instances if the defect is very severe its occurrencein the rolled sheet or otherwise worked product may be found.

According to the present invention there is provided, in combination anassembly of an ingot base plug and, fixed on the top of the plug, asplash can.

This combination is highly advantageous. First, the splash can and plugare inserted in one operation only; second, the position of the splashcan is fixed and it cannot be knocked sideways or overturned by theincoming stream of molten metal. Further, the splash can servesinitially to restrict erosion by the molten metal stream to the top ofthe plug, thus avoiding erosion of the base of the mould and prolongingingot mould life.

The shape and size of both plug and splash can may vary widely.Preferably the plug will be in the form of a solid refractoryfrusto-cone, and the splash can will be in the form of a hollow metalcylinder coaxial therewith. The ratio of cylinder height to diameter mayvary from, for example, 1:10 to 1:1. The diameter of the splash can maybe greater or less than that of the plug; most preferably it is slightlyless. Other shapes for plugs may be required by unusual casting moulds.Other shapes for splash cans e.g., a section ofa square tube ortriangular tube are possible but are not preferred.

Preferably the assembly of plug and splash can is held together by awire rod engaging the splash can at two opposite points and passingthrough a ring or wire loop set in the upper face of the plug.

Preferably the wire rod is kinked at the point where it links with theloop. The wire rod preferably engages in opposite apertures in thesplash can; the extreme ends of the wire rod may be bent over to preventdisengagement from the splash can.

This feature combined with the kink ensures that the splash can is heldfirmly in position when the first stream of molten metal impinges ontothe base plug.

Alternatively, both ends of the wire rod may be threaded, and retainingwing-nuts or the like may be fitted thereon in order firmly to securethe rod and can.

In one particular embodiment the splash can may be formed of a strip ofresilient metal e.g., steel with each of its ends turned back to form atongue; such a strip is bent into circular form and the tonguesinterengage to prevent its springing back flat.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of an assembly according to theinvention, and

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the assembly of FIG.

Referring to the drawing, the assembly consists of a bottom plug 1bearing set in its upper face loop 2. A splash can 3, constituted by asheet of mild steel formed to a circle by interengaging tongues 4, isheld on to the plug 1 by a steel wire rod 5. Rod 5 engages holes 6 inthe splash can 3. The rod 5 is kinked at 7 where it passes through loop2. The ends of the rod 5 are bent over at at 8.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination for use in casting molten metal into ingot mouldshaving an apertured base plate comprising a plug for the aperture in thebase plate, said plug being a solid frusto-cone of refractory material,a splash can, and means for fixing the splash can to the plug, saidsplash can being a hollow metal cylinder coaxial with the frusto-conicalplug, the height: diameter ratio of the cylinder being 1:10 to 1:1, andthe fixing means comprising a ring set in the upper face of the plugwith a wire rod engaging the splash can at two opposite points andpassing through the ring.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the splash can is formed of astrip of resilient metal with each of its ends turned back to form atongue, and with the two tongues mutually interengaged.

3. In the casting of molten metal into an ingot mould having anapertured base plate, the steps of sealing, prior to teeming, theaperture in the base plate with the combination plug-splash can of claimI and then teeming molten metal into the mold.

1. The combination for use in casting molten metal into ingot mouldshaving an apertured base plate comprising a plug for the aperture in thebase plate, said plug being a solid frusto-cone of refractory material,a splash can, and means for fixing the splash can to the plug, saidsplash can being a hollow metal cylinder coaxial with the frusto-conicalplug, the height: diameter ratio of the cylinder being 1:10 to 1:1, andthe fixing means comprising a ring set in the upper face of the plugwith a wire rod engaging the splash can at two opposite points andpassing through the ring.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein thesplash can is formed of a strip of resilient metal with each of its endsturned back to form a tongue, and with the two tongues mutuallyinterengaged.
 3. In the casting of molten metal into an ingot mouldhaving an apertured base plate, the steps of sealing, prior to teeming,the aperture in the base plate with the combination plug-splash can ofclaim 1 and then teeming molten metal into the mold.